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A Grand Guide To Buying: A Used Steinway Piano

This document provides information about buying a used Steinway piano, including: - There are 7 categories of used Steinway pianos based on their condition and any repairs or restorations. - Details are given on how to determine the age of a Steinway piano by locating its serial number and looking it up in the provided chart. - It is emphasized that a piano is only truly a Steinway if it contains 100% genuine Steinway parts, as they are precisely designed and built to work together. Using non-Steinway parts compromises the piano's quality and value.

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Jose Simes
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
358 views17 pages

A Grand Guide To Buying: A Used Steinway Piano

This document provides information about buying a used Steinway piano, including: - There are 7 categories of used Steinway pianos based on their condition and any repairs or restorations. - Details are given on how to determine the age of a Steinway piano by locating its serial number and looking it up in the provided chart. - It is emphasized that a piano is only truly a Steinway if it contains 100% genuine Steinway parts, as they are precisely designed and built to work together. Using non-Steinway parts compromises the piano's quality and value.

Uploaded by

Jose Simes
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A GRAND GUIDE TO BUYING

A USED STEINWAY PIANO


FOR THOSE WHOSE DESIRE
FOR A USED STEINWAY PIANO
IS 100% GENUINE.
A Grand Guide to Buying a Used Steinway Piano is designed to assist
you in your journey in selecting a genuine used Steinway piano—from
learning about how a Steinway is built and rebuilt, to what makes a
Steinway a genuine Steinway and what factors to consider when
shopping the used-Steinway market.

1
SEVEN TYPES OF
USED STEINWAY PIANOS
Every seller, piano dealer, and technician will classify a used Steinway piano in a different way; but, for the sake of this
guide, we’ve broken it into seven simple categories.

SHELL REPAIRED REBUILT

A used Steinway piano that has never been restored. This is a Steinway that has had parts repaired A rebuilt Steinway is a piano in which all the
Typically, the piano is not in playing condition, if it over time without replacing any major components. components have been rebuilt to its original
will play at all. The piano has been neglected, The piano has been maintained and is still capable condition. Some major components commonly
damaged or compromised, and has had no annual of being played daily, but major parts will likely rebuilt are the soundboard, bridges, and action
maintenance for an extended period of time. need replacing in the near future. parts, as well as the case.

HEIRLOOM COLLECTION

Steinway Heirloom Collection pianos are available through authorized Steinway dealers.
Each Heirloom carries the same 5-year warranty as a new Steinway, has genuine Steinway
parts, and is distinguished by a medallion on the inner-rim and a Certificate of Authenticity.

STEIN-WAS ORIGINAL FACTORY RESTORATION


A Stein-Was is a used Steinway piano that has An original used Steinway piano is one that A Steinway piano that was restored by the
had one or more parts replaced with non- has never had any parts replaced since it was Steinway Restoration Center in New York City
Steinway parts. Therefore, it was a Steinway manufactured. Typically, these are less than and had the original parts replaced with
piano; now it isn’t. 20 years old. genuine Steinway parts.

2
HOW TO DETERMINE THE AGE
OF ANY USED STEINWAY PIANO
When shopping for a used Steinway piano, you will want to take into consideration its age. By determining the age of the
piano, you will have a better understanding of its history, features, and condition. Below are 3 steps for determining the
age of a Steinway piano:

LOCATE THE
SERIAL NUMBER.
As new pianos are completed, they are
serial-numbered consecutively and the
number is applied to the cast-iron plate.

LOOK UP THE
SERIAL NUMBER.
Now that you have the serial number,
you can use the chart on the next page ON STEINWAY GRAND PIANOS ON STEINWAY UPRIGHT PIANOS
The serial number is found on the cast-iron plate The serial number is located on top of the
to find out the year the piano was built.
between the tuning pins above the keyboard. cast-iron plate when you open the toplid.

REQUEST THE PIANO'S HISTORY.

At the Steinway factory, there are several leather-bound log books that hold the records on every piano
built by Steinway & Sons since 1853. As pianos are completed, they are serial-numbered and, even today,
handwritten into the Steinway archives which list the details of every Steinway piano built.

Anyone with a serial number from any Steinway piano can contact Steinway & Sons or their local Steinway
dealer for the information on a specific Steinway, including the model, original finish, completion date, and
the dealer to whom it was first shipped. The historical records of each and every piano built is just another
one of the things that make a Steinway unique.

3
AGES OF STEINWAY PIANOS
Note: Serial numbers represent rounded-off count at year end. A few of the early years are spanned.

483 / 1853 75000 = 1893 225000 = 1924 334000 = 1951 455300 = 1978 574500 = 2005
1000 = 1856 80000 = 1894 235000 = 1925 337000 = 1952 463000 = 1979 578500 = 2006
2000 = 1858 85000 = 1896 240000 = 1926 340000 = 1953 468500 = 1980 582500 = 2007
3000 = 1860 90000 = 1898 255000 = 1927 343000 = 1954 473500 = 1981 584600 = 2008
5000 = 1861 95000 = 1900 260000 = 1928 346500 = 1955 478500 = 1982 587500 = 2009
7000 = 1863 100000 = 1901 265000 = 1929 350000 = 1956 483000 = 1983 589500 = 2010
9000 = 1864 105000 = 1902 270000 = 1930 355000 = 1957 488000 = 1984
11000 = 1865 110000 = 1904 271000 = 1931 358000 = 1958 493000 = 1985
13000 = 1866 115000 = 1905 274000 = 1932 362000 = 1959 498000 = 1986
15000 = 1867 120000 = 1906 276000 = 1933 366000 = 1960 503000 = 1987
17000 = 1868 125000 = 1907 278000 = 1934 370000 = 1961 507700 = 1988
19000 = 1869 130000 = 1908 279000 = 1935 375000 = 1962 512600 = 1989
21000 = 1870 135000 = 1909 284000 = 1936 380000 = 1963 516700 = 1990
23000 = 1871 140000 = 1910 289000 = 1937 385000 = 1964 521000 = 1991
25000 = 1872 150000 = 1911 290000 = 1938 390000 = 1965 523500 = 1992
27000 = 1873 155000 = 1912 294000 = 1939 395000 = 1966 527000 = 1993
29000 = 1874 160000 = 1913 300000 = 1940 400000 = 1967 530000 = 1994
31000 = 1875 165000 = 1914 305000 = 1941 405000 = 1968 533500 = 1995
33000 = 1876 170000 = 1915 310000 = 1942 412000 = 1969 537200 = 1996
35000 = 1877 175000 = 1916 314000 = 1943 418000 = 1970 540700 = 1997
40000 = 1878 185000 = 1917 316000 = 1944 423000 = 1971 545600 = 1998
45000 = 1881 190000 = 1918 317000 = 1945 426000 = 1972 549600 = 1999
50000 = 1883 195000 = 1919 319000 = 1946 431000 = 1973 554000 = 2000
55000 = 1886 200000 = 1920 322000 = 1947 436000 = 1974 558000 = 2001
60000 = 1887 205000 = 1921 324000 = 1948 439000 = 1975 562500 = 2002
65000 = 1889 210000 = 1922 328000 = 1949 445000 = 1976 567000 = 2003
70000 = 1891 220000 = 1922 331000 = 1950 450000 = 1977 571000 = 2004

Source: The Official Guide to Steinway Pianos

4
IF IT DOESN'T HAVE 12,116 GENUINE
STEINWAY PARTS,IT ISN'T A STEINWAY
Used, vintage, and restored Steinway pianos are often prized for their unique beauty and enduring value. However, for
years, non-Steinway dealers and unauthorized piano rebuilders have created a great deal of confusion in the piano industry.
Many piano rebuilders use inferior non-Steinway parts, seriously compromising an instrument's performance and
investment value.

BUILT FOR A STEINWAY PIANO


PRICE COMPARISON
For nearly 160 years, Steinway & Sons has been on a continuing
STEINWAY VS. NON-STEINWAY PARTS
quest to improve the Steinway piano. Continuous improvement
means finding the perfect balance of the many thousands of parts
which make up a Steinway piano. When a Steinway piano is rebuilt,
it is imperative that Steinway parts be used in this process if the
piano is to play and sound as a Steinway should play and sound.

A Steinway piano is designed to use genuine Steinway parts,


and they perform their best when these parts are used. If the parts
are not 100% Steinway, then the piano is not 100% Steinway and
its performance and investment value will be compromised.

WHY DO SOME REBUILDERS


USE NON-STEINWAY PARTS?
Non-Steinway replacement parts used in the rebuilding of a
Steinway piano are purchased for one reason only: They are
cheaper, both in price and quality. There is no other reason.

As you can see, there is a significant cost difference between genuine Steinway parts
To the right is a comparison of genuine Steinway parts vs. and non-Steinway or "Steinway style" parts and this is the reason why there is such a
non-Steinway parts for a Steinway Model O (5'10") grand piano. great deal of confusion when shopping for a used Steinway piano.

5
IF YOU READ ONLY ONE SECTION OF
THIS GUIDE, READ THIS SECTION
The soundboard lies at the heart of a Steinway grand or upright piano, which is why Steinway & Sons takes great care in its
design and in the selection of the wood used. The soundboard is a critical component in producing the inimitable “Steinway
Sound” you desire.

ABOUT THE SOUNDBOARD SOUNDBOARDS FROM SCRATCH


Close-grained, quarter-sawn Sitka spruce, with a prescribed minimum Steinway does not buy their soundboards, instead, they buy the spruce
number of annual growth rings is the wood used for Steinway soundboards. planks to make their soundboards. Steinway's strict standards for
These close-grained lines enable the sound-producing energy to travel more soundboard spruce and their yield factor on the prime-grade planks they
efficiently to the end of the soundboard. When combined with the purchase is only 50%. Meaning, of all the spruce that Steinway inspects
soundboard being gradually tapered from the center to the edge, which and purchases, only 50% of that spruce goes into the making their
permits the freedom of movement, it creates a sound of unparalleled soundboards. This allows Steinway to build each soundboard to their
richness, sonority, and sustain. standards, not the lumber supplier's.

STEINWAY NEVER SELLS ITS SOUNDBOARDS.

Steinway sells their soundboards to no one, since the skill, expertise and
machinery necessary to replace a soundboard is only available at the
Steinway factory. So if a used Steinway was restored somewhere other than
the Steinway Restoration Center, it may still have the Steinway & Sons
trademark logo on it, but if it doesn’t have a genuine Steinway & Sons
soundboard, it has lost the internal magic that makes it a Steinway.

6
ASSURING THE STEINWAY
PIANO IS GENUINE
In the two previous sections, we've covered the importance of making sure the used Steinway you purchase is in fact a
genuine Steinway. But how can you be sure you are investing in a genuine Steinway piano?

DECLARATION OF STEINWAY PARTS

If the seller doesn't have a statement with their signature you can
use the copy of the Declaration of Steinway Parts Authenticity you
will find on the next page and request they complete the form to
ensure that the piano has genuine Steinway parts.

GENUINE STEINWAY PARTS

Should you decide to buy a used Steinway piano not restored by


Steinway & Sons, it is recommended that you request, in writing,
from the seller, a statement verifying that the piano has 100%
genuine Steinway parts and that it can be proven.

7
Declaration of
STEINWAY PARTS AUTHENTICITY
MODEL

FINISH

SERIAL NUMBER

I OF DECLARE ON / /
THAT THE ABOVE STEINWAY PIANO HAS BEEN RESTORED USING THE FOLLOWING GENUINE STEINWAY PARTS:

SOUNDBOARD
BRIDGES
WRESTPLANK/PINBLOCK
HAMMERS, SHANKS AND REPETITIONS

PRESENTER NAME AND TITLE


A LEGACY OF INNOVATION
WHICH CONTINUES TODAY
The very first Steinway & Sons patent was granted in 1857, and since that time, the company has been granted more than
125 additional patents. As a consumer shopping for a used Steinway, it is important to consider when these patents were
implemented, how they work, and what benefits they provide for pianists like yourself.

"Strive always to improve the instrument."


It is important to remember that a Steinway piano will only feature the patents preceding the date of its completion.
This means that a Steinway grand piano completed on March 5, 1923, will NOT have any of the innovations or advancements developed after that date such as:

ACCELERATED ACTION DIAPHRAGMATIC SOUNDBOARD HEXAGRIP PINBLOCK


OCTOBER 13, 1931 • PATENT #1826848 AUGUST 18, 1936 • PATENT #2051633 MAY 28, 1963 • PATENT #3091149
The touch of a Steinway is the most sensitive The current production of the Steinway & Sons Due to the unique design of the Steinway
and responsive of any piano made. This is not soundboard is based on a 1936 patent to pinblock all Steinway pianos hold their tune
merely an opinion. It is a fact that results from achieve optimum performance in dynamic longer. The secret lies in the grain of the wood.
the way the piano is designed and manufactured. range, and maximum sustain. Under this patent, The grain of each layer is positioned at 45
In fact, tests have proven that the keys on a the soundboard is gradually tapered from the degrees to the grain in the next layer. As a
Steinway piano can repeat 14% more quickly center to the edge, permitting freedom of result, the tuning pins are exposed on all sides
than the keys of any other piano. movement and creating a sound of to the tenacious grip of the maple’s end grain.
unparalleled richness, sonority, and sustain. The tighter the grip on the tuning pins, the
longer the piano stays in tune.

9
THE "GOLDEN-AGE"
MYTH
There are rebuilders, technicians, and non-Steinway dealers who will claim that Steinway pianos built during the "Golden
Age" are the best Steinway pianos ever built. This is a myth that has been around since Steinway started building pianos.

ARE OLDER STEINWAY PIANOS REALLY BETTER


THAN NEW ONES?

As the late Henry Z. Steinway, great-grandson of the founder of


Steinway & Sons, often said, “Steinway pianos crafted 40 years ago
were always from the ‘Golden Age.' It didn’t matter which year —
1900, 1920, 1950, 2008—the 'Golden Age' was always 40 years ago!”

WHY THE MYTH EXISTS:


There are very few piano dealers that are authorized to sell new
Steinway pianos throughout the world (only about 68 in North
America) but many piano dealers who can acquire used Steinway
pianos to resell. Since they can't sell new Steinway pianos, it is to
their benefit to advertise that their used Steinway from the "Golden
Age" is more desirable than a new one.

ARTIST DEMAND THE BEST.


The myth of the "Golden Age" is easily disproved. Just look at
the concert halls throughout the world who cater to the most
discriminating pianists of our time. How old are the pianos you are
hearing? On average, they are less than 10 years old.  If the world’s
most prominent pianists felt that pianos from a “Golden Age” were
superior to those produced today, we would not see new Steinway
pianos on these stages.

10
A STEINWAY PIANO IS BUILT
TO BE REBUILT
There are hundreds of companies and technicians who rebuild Steinway pianos. However, there is only one piano rebuilder
in the world who is authorized by Steinway & Sons to restore Steinway pianos: the Steinway Restoration Center. A piano
restored by the Restoration Center is the closest piano possible to a brand-new Steinway.

BENEFITS OF SELECTING A USED STEINWAY PIANO


RESTORED BY THE STEINWAY RESTORATION CENTER
PROCESSES CRAFTSMANSHIP

No one else has all the original designs, Who better to restore a vintage Steinway
specifications and necessary equipment. piano than the craftsmen who built it?

AUTHORIZED SECURITY

The Steinway Restoration Center is the Steinway pianos restored at the Restoration
only authorized Steinway piano rebuilder Center carry a 5-year Steinway warranty;
in the world. the same as a brand-new Steinway.

AUTHENTICITY 159 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Each and every Steinway piano restored Since 1853, Steinway & Sons has built over
receives a Certificate of Authenticity which 592,000 new Steinway pianos and they are
guarantees the piano was restored using the world's largest rebuilder of Steinway
genuine Steinway parts. pianos. Simply put, no one knows a
Steinway like Steinway.

11
6
MONTHS
200
RESTORED PIANOS
75
YEARS OLD

Average number of months it takes the The Steinway Restoration Center restores The average age of a Steinway piano restored
Restoration Center to restore a Steinway more than 200 Steinway pianos a year. by the Steinway Restoration Center.
grand piano.

12
A SOUND
INVESTMENT
Times change. Markets rise and fall. But for more than a century and a half, every handcrafted Steinway piano has
increased in value.

The best time to invest in a Steinway piano is always the same: TODAY.

9.3
That’s because when factory prices of new Steinway pianos increase,
the value of used Steinway pianos also rise.
TIMES HIGHER
Below is a historical listing of prices: THAN
ORIGINAL COST

A 50 YEAR OLD STEINWAY


YEAR MODEL D YEAR MODEL S
COMMANDS A PRICE
1900 $1,400 1900 $885 MORE THAN 9 TIMES
1925 $2,700 1925 $1,524 ITS ORIGINAL COST
1950 $6,900 1950 $2,585
1975 $13,500 1975 $5,540
2000 $83,100 2000 $32,400
2011 $130,800 2011 $51,400
PIANO DIMENSIONS: 8‘ 11.75“ PIANO DIMENSIONS: 5‘ 1“

“A 10-year-old Steinway in good condition, usually sells for


about 75 percent of the current retail price, which goes up

2.1
about 4 percent each year."
-Reuters, November 2003
TIMES HIGHER
THAN
ORIGINAL COST
“Over the past decade, the price on the classic Steinway
PRESENT VALUE PRESENT VALUE

Model B grand piano–currently $81,200–increased 48%, BUILT 1985 BUILT 1960

far outpacing the 29% rise in inflation." HISTORICAL APPRECIATION OF


STEINWAY GRAND PIANOS
Actual NY Retail prices for Steinway Model B piano used.
-Barron's, November 2010 Other models vary slightly based on model but follow the same overall trend.

13
PROTECTING YOUR
INVESTMENT
It is said that if you don’t know your jewels, know your jeweler. The same is true for pianos—it’s always best to rely on a
reputable piano dealer or piano rebuilder. Below are a few examples of details you should be looking for when shopping
on-line for a used Steinway piano.

WARRANTY PRICING

When shopping for a used Steinway make sure to ask if there is a warranty, and There should only be one price for a used product: The price to buy it. Some
if there is, what is covered under the warranty. In the example on the left the people will list several prices with unclear verbiage in an effort to confuse
piano has a 20-year warranty but it doesn’t cover the ever-so-important the consumer. In this example, the seller uses the word “wholesale” instead
soundboard at all. of the word “retail”. What else might they mislead you on…

CERTIFIED STEINWAY TECHNICIANS CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF PARTS

Often times a piano technician or rebuilder will use the words “Certified” If you are looking at a rebuilt Steinway piano it is important to find out what
and “Steinway” together to make it seem as if Steinway approves their parts have been replaced and if they were replaced with genuine Steinway
work. This is false. Per Steinway & Sons, the only “Certified Steinway parts. In this example, it says a new soundboard was installed. If the new
Technicians” are the ones that they employ. soundboard was not replaced at the Steinway factory then this piano is no
longer a Steinway.

14
THERE IS A STEINWAY PIANO FOR EVERYONE;
YOU JUST HAVE TO FIND YOUR STEINWAY
Selecting a Steinway piano should be an enjoyable experience, and to help insure it is, here is a list of 5 things to do while
shopping for a used Steinway piano:

PLAY A NEW STEINWAY PIANO. WATCH “NOTE BY NOTE, THE MAKING


OF STEINWAY L1037.”
You may have already made your mind up that purchasing a used
Steinway piano is the right choice for you. However, you would be “Note by Note” is a feature-length independent documentary that follows
doing your due diligence to visit you local Steinway dealer and play a the creation of a Steinway concert grand, #L1037—from the forest floor
couple of new Steinway pianos. This experience will give you to concert hall. It explores the relationship between musician and
something to compare against as you shop for a used Steinway. instrument, chronicles the manufacturing process, and illustrates what
makes each Steinway unique in this age of mass production.

TOUR THE STEINWAY FACTORY.

Steinway & Sons has a factory in Long Island City, New York, and one in Hamburg, Germany, that build Steinway upright and grand pianos. Each factory
offers a 3-hour tour to the public during the week. What better way to learn about Steinway pianos than to see first-hand how they are built? For more
information and to schedule your factory tour, contact your authorized Steinway dealer.

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO STEINWAY PIANOS DOWNLOAD THE PIANO BUYER’S GUIDE.

A compilation of thirty years of research by authors, Roy F. Kehl and Choosing the right piano can be a very pleasant and rewarding
David R. Kirkland, that offers a thorough and accurate production experience for an informed buyer. This guide will assist you in educating
history of Steinway pianos. In this guide you will find the complete list of yourself on how to select the right piano—based on your specific needs.
Steinway patents, Steinway models—past and present—with production To download the guide, visit steinway.com, hover your mouse pointer over
dates and serial numbers, and the characteristic detail changes. “Our Pianos” and click on “Buyer’s Guide.”

15
THANK YOU

A special thank-you to everyone at Steinway & Sons who shared their knowledge of Steinway pianos with us for this Guide.

www.steinway.com

Handcrafted by Casey Saliba

16

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